Ghana midfielder Prince Buaben says he his determined to help Heart of Midlothian secure promotion to the Scottish top-flight.

He joined the Edinburgh club on a one-year contract last month but has spent a fair part of the intervening period fielding questions about why he is not playing at the top level.

The 27-year-old is fully charged, ready to begin a new chapter of his career and is certain to start in midfield against Rangers.

Yet he is still hearing people asking why Hearts and why the Championship.

“People say I need to prove a point at my age, but I didn’t come here to prove any point,” said Buaben, speaking exclusively to the Evening News.

“I just came here to help the team get up. They belong in the Scottish Premiership so I want to do well for them and hopefully they can get promotion.

“People have said I can do better than coming to the Championship in Scotland. They keep asking me why I came to the Championship. I just tell them it’s not because of any reason other than playing football and enjoying football again. Hopefully Hearts can go back up and then we’ll see what happens.

“Football is the same everywhere you play. Obviously the Premiership is a higher standard but, if you look at the Championship this season, I think it’s going to be better than the Premiership. Playing for Hearts against teams like Hibs and Rangers will be amazing.”